An American National Standard

Designation: D 873 – 02 British Standard 4456

Designation: 138/99

Standard Test Method for

Oxidation Stability of Aviation Fuels (Potential Residue
Method)1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 873; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

This test method has been approved by the sponsoring committees and accepted by the Cooperating Societies in accordance with
established procedures.

This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.

1. Scope tion Fuels by Laboratory Filtration5

1.1 This test method2 covers the determination of the
tendency of aviation reciprocating, turbine, and jet engine fuels
to form gum and deposits under accelerated aging conditions.
(Warning—This test method is not intended for determining
the stability of fuel components, particularly those with a high
percentage of low boiling unsaturated compounds, as these
may cause explosive conditions within the apparatus.)
NOTE 1—For the measurement of the oxidation stability (induction
period) of motor gasoline, refer to Test Method D 525.
1.2 The accepted SI unit of pressure is the kilo pascal (kPa);
the accepted SI unit of temperature is °C.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D 381 Test Method for Existent Gum in Fuels by Jet
Evaporation3
D 525 Test Method for Oxidation Stability of Gasoline
(Induction Period Method)3
D 4057 Practice for Manual Sampling of Petroleum and
Petroleum Products4
D 5452 Test Method for Particulate Contamination in Avia-
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on
Petroleum Products and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
D02.14 on Stability and Cleanliness of Liquid Fuels.
Current edition approved Dec. 10, 2002. Published March 2003. Originally
approved in 1946. Last previous edition approved in 1999 as D 873–99a.
2
Further information can be found in the June 1978, January 1979, and June
1986 editions of the Institute of Petroleum Review.
3 5
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 05.01.
4 6
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 05.02.
E 1 Specification for ASTM Thermometers6
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard
3.1.1 The following definitions of terms are all expressed in
terms of milligrams per 100 mL of sample, after “X” hours
aging, “X” being the accelerated aging (oxidation) period at
100°C.
3.1.1.1 insoluble gum—deposit adhering to the glass sample
container after removal of the aged fuel, precipitate, and
soluble gum. Insoluble gum is obtained by measuring the
increase in mass of the glass sample container.
3.1.1.2 potential gum—sum of the soluble and insoluble
gum.
3.1.1.3 precipitate—sediment and suspended material in the
aged fuel, obtained by filtering the aged fuel and washings
from the glass sample container.
3.1.1.4 soluble gum—deterioration products present at the
end of a specific aging period. These deterioration products
exist in solution in the aged fuel and as the toluene-acetone
soluble portion of the deposit on the glass sample container.
The soluble gum is obtained as a nonvolatile residue by
evaporating the aged fuel and the toluene-acetone washings
from the glass sample container.
3.1.1.5 total potential residue—sum of the potential gum
and the precipitate.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 The fuel is oxidized under prescribed conditions in a
pressure vessel filled with oxygen. The amounts of soluble
gum, insoluble gum, and precipitate formed are weighed.
(Warning—In addition to other precautions, to provide pro-
tection against the possibility of explosive rupture of the
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 05.03.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.03.

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.

1
 D 873 – 02
pressure vessel, the pressure vessel should be operated behind
an appropriate safety shield.)
5. Significance and Use
5.1 The results (of these tests) can be used to indicate
storage stability of these fuels. The tendency of fuels to form
gum and deposits in these tests has not been correlated with
field performance (and can vary markedly) with the formation
of gum and deposits under different storage conditions.
6. Apparatus
6.1 Oxidation Pressure Vessel, Burst Disc Assembly, Glass
Sample Container and Cover, Accessories and Pressure Gage,
as described in the Annex to Test Method D 525. (Warning—
Provision shall be made to safely vent any expelled gases or
flames away from the operator, other personnel, or flammable
materials as a safety precaution if the burst-disc ruptures.)
NOTE 2—Pressure vessels conforming to Test Method D 525/1980 are
also suitable, but the specified burst-disc shall be attached. The burst disc
assembly shall be mechanically designed to ensure that it cannot be
incorrectly fitted.
6.2 Thermometer, having a range as shown below and
conforming to the requirements as prescribed in Specification
E 1, or specifications for IP thermometers:
Thermometer Range Thermometer Number
ASTM IP
95 to 103°C 22C 24C
NOTE 3—Other temperature sensing devices that cover the temperature
range of interest, such as thermocouples or platinum resistance thermom-
eters, that can provide equivalent or better accuracy and precision, may be
used in place of the thermometers specified in 6.2.
6.3 Drying Oven, air oven maintained at 100 to 150°C.
6.4 Forceps, corrosion-resistant, steel.
6.5 Filtering Crucible, sintered-glass, fine porosity.
6.6 Oxidation Bath, as described in the Annex to Test
Method D 525. The liquid shall be water or a mixture of
ethylene glycol and water, as required. The temperature can be
controlled thermostatically at 100 6 0.2°C, or by maintaining
it at its boiling point, which must be between 99.5 to 100.5°C.
If a liquid medium other than water is used, an appropriate
mechanical stirrer/mixer shall be used to maintain uniformity
of the liquid bath at 100 6 0.2°C. A non self-resettable device
shall be fitted on all new baths to ensure that the heater is
switched off if the liquid bath falls below a safe level. Users of
older baths without this device are strongly urged to have the
equipment retrofitted to ensure safe operation.
NOTE 4—Electric heating blocks are known to be used. These blocks
can have heating capacities, heating rates, and heat transfer characteristics
that differ from those of a liquid bath. An electric heating block may be
used in place of the liquid bath as long as the sample heating rate and
sample temperature are demonstrated to be equivalent to that of the liquid
bath.
6.7 Cooling Vessel—A desiccator or other type of tightly
covered vessel for cooling the beakers before weighing. The
use of a drying agent is not recommended.
7. Reagents and Materials
7.1 Gum Solvent—A mixture of equal volumes of toluene
and acetone.
2
7.2 Oxygen, commercially available extra dry oxygen of not
less than 99.6 % purity.
8. Sampling
8.1 Sample in accordance with the procedure for oxidation
stability, as described in Practice D 4057.
9. Preparation of Apparatus
9.1 Thoroughly clean a glass sample container to remove
traces of any adhering material. Immerse the container and its
cover in a mildly alkaline or neutral pH laboratory detergent
cleaning solution. The type of detergent and conditions for its
use need to be established in each laboratory. The criterion for
satisfactory cleaning shall be a matching of the quality of that
obtained with chromic acid cleaning solutions (or some other
equivalently strong oxidizing non-chromium containing acid
cleaning solutions) on used sample containers and covers
(fresh chromic acid, 6-h soaking period, rinsing with distilled
water and drying). For this comparison, visual appearance and
mass loss on heating the glassware under test conditions may
be used. Detergent cleaning avoids the potential hazards and
inconveniences related to the handling of highly corrosive and
strongly oxidizing acid solutions; this procedure remains the
reference cleaning practice and, as such, may function as an
alternate to the preferred procedure, cleaning with detergent
solutions. Remove from the cleaning solution by means of
corrosion-resistant steel forceps and handle only with forceps
thereafter. Wash thoroughly first with tap water and then with
deionized or distilled water, and dry in an oven at 100 to 150°C
for 1 h. Cool the sample containers and covers for at least 2 h
in the cooling vessel in the vicinity of the balance. Weigh to the
nearest 0.1 mg, and record mass.
9.1.1 Experience indicates that the amount of insoluble gum
is negligible in aviation reciprocating engine fuels. Therefore,
the glass sample container need not be weighed when testing
such fuels unless visible evidence of insoluble matter remains
in the container after treatment with gum solvent. In such
cases, the test must be repeated and the mass of the container
recorded.
9.2 Drain any fuel from the pressure vessel and wipe the
inside of the pressure vessel and pressure vessel closure, first
with a clean cloth moistened with gum solvent and then with a
clean, dry cloth. Remove the filler rod from the stem, and
carefully clean any gum or fuel from the stem, rod, and needle
valve with gum solvent. The pressure vessel, the valve, and all
connecting lines shall be thoroughly dry before each test is
started. (Warning—Volatile peroxides, which may have
formed during a previous test, may accumulate in the equip-
ment, producing a potentially explosive environment. Special
care in cleaning after each test is needed to ensure that the filler
rod, stem, and needle valve are free of these peroxides.)
9.3 If a thermostatically controlled constant temperature
oxidation bath is used, adjust the temperature to 100 6 0.1°C
and maintain it within this temperature range for the duration
of the test.
9.4 If a boiling water oxidation bath is used, adjust the
temperature within the range from 99.5 to 100.5°C by the
addition of water or a higher boiling liquid such as ethylene
 D 873 – 02
glycol. Factors are given in Table 1 to adjust the “X” hour aging
time if the bath temperature at the start of the test deviates from
100°C.
10. Procedure
10.1 Bring the pressure vessel and the fuel to be tested to a
temperature from 15 to 25°C. Place the weighed glass sample
container in the pressure vessel and add 100 6 1 mL of test
specimen. Alternatively, transfer 100 6 1 mL of sample into
the weighed glass sample container first, before placing the
glass sample container into the pressure vessel. Cover the same
container, close the pressure vessel, and using a quick release
coupling, introduce oxygen until a pressure from 690 to 705
kPa is attained. Allow the gas in the pressure vessel to escape
slowly through the needle valve at a rate not to exceed 345
kPa/min. Repeat the charging and exhausting of the oxygen
once more in order to flush out the air originally present.
Introduce oxygen again until a pressure of from 690 to 705 kPa
is attained and observe for leaks, ignoring an initial rapid drop
in pressure (generally not over 40 kPa), which can be observed
because of the solution of oxygen in the sample. Assume the
absence of leaks, and proceed with the test if the rate of
pressure drop does not exceed 15 kPa in 10 min.
10.2 Place the charged pressure vessel in one of the de-
scribed oxidation baths, being careful to avoid shaking, and
record the time of immersion as the starting time. Leave the
pressure vessel in the oxidation bath for the specified “X” hour
aging time. If the temperature at the start of a test varies from
100°C, adjust the “X” hour aging time by the correction factors
given in Table 1.
10.3 At the completion of the period of oxidation, remove
the pressure vessel from the bath. To minimize further oxida-
tion of the test specimen and to provide for safe venting of the
pressure vessel, cool the pressure vessel to approximately room
temperature within 30 min after removal from the bath, using
water #35°C. Release the pressure slowly through the needle
valve at a rate not to exceed 345 kPa/min. Take the pressure
vessel apart, and remove the sample container.
10.4 Transfer the oxidized fuel from the glass sample
container to a graduated flask, such as a graduated, stoppered
cylinder, that will allow mixing of approximately 120 mL, if no
visible precipitate is observed or if the amount is not specifi-
cally required by specifications. Wash the interior of the glass
sample container twice with 10-mL portions of gum solvent to
TABLE 1 Aging Time Correction Factors
NOTE—To obtain the correct aging time at the operating temperature,
multiply the time specified for 100°C by the correction factor.
Temperature,°C Correction Factor
99.5 1.06
99.6 1.04
99.7 1.03
99.8 1.02
99.9 1.01
100.0 1.00
100.1 0.99
100.2 0.98
100.3 0.97
100.4 0.96
100.5 0.95
3
remove any gum. Mix the oxidized fuel and rinses thoroughly,
and preserve the mixture for the determination of soluble gum.
Proceed with the test as specified in 10.6. If a precipitate is
observed, and if the amount is required by specifications,
determine the initial mass of the filtering crucible (see 6.5) that
is to be used and filter the oxidized fuel through the crucible
and save the filtrate. A vacuum filtration set-up has been found
suitable to use, although precautions should be taken to avoid
the potential of static discharges, such as described in Test
Method D 5452. Wash the interior of the glass container twice
with 10-mL portions of gum solvent to remove any gum or
precipitate. Filter the washings through the crucible, adding
them to the oxidized fuel filtrate, and mix thoroughly. Preserve
the mixture for the determination of soluble gum.
10.5 Dry the crucible in an oven maintained at 100 to 150°C
for at least 1 h, cool in a cooling vessel to approximately room
temperature (for at least 2 h), and weigh the crucible (that is,
the crucible plus residue) to determine its final mass. Subtract
the initial mass of the crucible from the final mass of the
crucible. Record any increase in mass as precipitate, A.
10.6 Dry the glass sample container in an oven maintained
at 100 to 150°C for 1 h, cool in a cooling vessel, and weigh.
Two hours has been found to be a suitable time to cool the glass
sample container. Record any increase in mass as insoluble
gum, B.
10.7 Divide the mixture obtained in 10.4 into two equal
portions (within 2 mL), and determine the soluble gum existing
therein by the procedure and test conditions described in Test
Method D 381, using in each test the entire half portion instead
of the 50-mL test specimen specified in Test Method D 381.
Record the sum of the increase in mass of the two beakers as
soluble gum, C, as calculated in accordance with the following
equation:
C 5 1000 3 ~~D2E! 1 ~F2G! 1 2~X2Y!! (1)
where:
C = soluble gum, mg/100 mL,
D = mass of test specimen beaker 1 + residue, g,
E = mass of test specimen beaker 1, g,
F = mass of test specimen beaker 2 + residue, g,
G = mass of test specimen beaker 2, g,
X = mass of tare beaker (before), g, and
Y = mass of tare beaker (after), g.
11. Report
11.1 Calculate the results obtained by combining the sepa-
rately determined residues as prescribed in Table 2 and report
as “X” hour aging characteristics, Test Method D 873 as x
mg/100 mL or < 1mg/100 mL.
12. Precision and Bias
12.1 The precision of the test method as determined by the
statistical examination of interlaboratory test results is as
follows:
12.1.1 Repeatability—The difference between successive
results obtained by the same operator with the same apparatus
under constant operating conditions on identical test material
 D 873 – 02
TABLE 2 Aging Characteristics
Residue Fractions to be Combined
Aging Characteristic to be Reported
Aviation Reciprocating Engine Fuel Aviation Turbine Fuel
Potential gum, mg/100 mL sum of insoluble gum and soluble gum (B + C) ...
Precipitate, mg/100 mL precipitate (A) if required ...
Total potential residue, mg/100 mL ... sum of precipitate A (if required) insoluble gum
B and soluble gum C (A + B + C)

would, in the long run, in the normal and correct operation of Reproducibility (16 h aging)
the test method, exceed the following values only in one case Aviation Reciprocat- Aviation Turbine Fuel
ing Engine Fuel
in twenty: Potential
Repeatability (16 h aging) Gum, mg/100 mL
Aviation Recipro- Aviation Turbine Up to 5 3 4
cating Engine Fuel Fuel Over 5 to 10 4 5
Potential Over 10 to 20 6 7
Gum, mg/100 mL Precipitate, mg/100 mL
Up to 5 2 2 Up to 2 1
Over 5 to 10 3 3
Over 10 to 20 4 5 12.2 Bias—Since there is no accepted reference material
Precipitate, mg/100 mL available for determining the bias for the procedure in Test
Up to 2 1
Method D 873 for measuring oxidation stability, bias has not
12.1.2 Reproducibility—The difference between two single been determined.
and independent results obtained by different operators work-
ing in different laboratories on identical test material would, in 13. Keywords
the long run, exceed the following values only in one case in 13.1 aviation fuels; gum (insoluble, soluble, potential);
twenty: oxidation stability; potential residue; total potential residue

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

Committee D02.14 has identified the location of selected changes to this standard since the last issue
(D 873–99a) that may impact the use of this standard.

(1) Added Test Method D 5452 to Section 2, Referenced
Documents.
(2) Updated 10.4 to explicitly state that an initial mass of the
filtering crucible is needed when a precipitate is observed in
order to determine the increase in mass of the precipitate in
10.5. Identified a suitable filtration set-up that could be used
and alerted users of a potential safety concern.
(3) Updated 10.5 regarding the drying time and the precipitate
calculation.

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